Filipino Christmas Tradition: Simbang Gabi

Mostly Catholics, Filipinos begin a novena (a series of nine masses) on December 16th. The masses are part of the cherished religious tradition of Simbang Gabi, which literally mean “Night Worship.”

Filipinos go to church at four o’clock in the morning and afterward have breakfast together. A traditional drink during this season is a warm ginger tea called salabat and a traditional treat is a flat but thick yellow rice cake called bibingka.

The Tagalog word for "Christmas" is Pasko. Learn more about Christmas in the Philippines!